Page 108 of 425
107 Controls in detail
Lighting
Manual headlamp mode
The low beam headlamps and the parking
lamps can be switched on and off with the
exterior lamp switch.
Automatic headlamp mode
The following lamps switch on and off
automatically depending on the brightness
of the ambient light:
Low beam headlamps
Tail and parking lamps
License plate lamps
Side marker lamps
Turn the exterior lamp switch to
positionU.
With the SmartKey in starter switch
position1, only the parking lamps and
side marker lamps will switch on and
off automatically.
When the engine is running, the low
beam headlamps, the tail and parking
lamps, the license plate lamps, and the
side marker lamps will switch on and
off automatically.
Warning!G
If the exterior lamp switch is set toU,
the headlamps may switch off unexpect-
edly when the system senses bright
ambient light, for example light from
oncoming traffic.
the headlamps will not be automatically
switched on under foggy conditions.
To minimize risk to you and to others,
activate headlamps by turning exterior lamp
switch toB when driving or when traffic
and/or ambient lighting conditions require
you to do so.
In low ambient lighting conditions, only
switch from positionU toB with the
vehicle at a standstill in a safe location.
Switching fromU toB will briefly
switch off the headlamps. Doing so while
driving in low ambient lighting conditions
may result in an accident.
The automatic headlamp feature is only an
aid to the driver. The driver is responsible for
the operation of the vehicle’s lights at all
times.
iUSA only:
With the automatic headlamp mode activated
you can switch on the high beam headlamps in
low ambient lighting conditions.
Page 109 of 425
108 Controls in detail
Lighting
Daytime running lamp mode
Turn the exterior lamp switch to
positionM orU.
When the engine is running, the low
beam headlamps are switched on.
In low ambient light conditions, the
following lamps will switch on
additionally:
Tail and parking lamps
License plate lamps
Side marker lamps
For nighttime driving you should turn the
exterior lamp switch to positionB to
permit activation of the high beam head-
lamps.Canada only:
The daytime running lamp mode is manda-
tory and therefore in a constant mode.
When the engine is running, and you shift
from a driving position to neutralN or park
positionP, the low beam headlamps will
switch off with a three-minute delay.When the engine is running, and you
turn the exterior lamp switch to
positionC, the parking lamps and
side marker switch on additionally.
turn the exterior lamp switch to
positionB, the manual headlamp
mode has priority over the daytime
running lamp mode.
The corresponding exterior lamps
switch on (
page 106).
iWith the daytime running lamp mode activat-
ed and the exterior lamp switch in positionM
you can not switch on the high beam headlamps.
iWith the exterior lamp switch in
positionM or U you can not switch on the
high beam headlamps.
The high beam flasher is available at all times.
For nighttime driving turn the exterior lamp
switch to positionB to permit activation of
the high beam headlamps.
Page 110 of 425
109 Controls in detail
Lighting
USA only:
By default, the daytime running lamp mode
is deactivated. Activate the daytime
running lamp mode using the control
system, see “Setting daytime running lamp
mode (USA only)” (
page 135).
When the engine is running, and you turn
the exterior lamp switch to positionC
orB, the manual headlamp mode has
priority over the daytime running lamp
mode.
The corresponding exterior lamps switch
on (
page 106).
Locator lighting and night security
illumination
The locator lighting and the night security
illumination are described in the “Control
system” section, see “Setting locator light-
ing” (
page 135) and “Setting night secu-
rity illumination” (
page 136).Fog lampsFront fog lamps
Switch on the low beam headlamps
(
page 106).
Pull out the exterior lamp switch to first
stop.
The front fog lamps switch on.
The green indicator lamp‡ in the
exterior lamp switch comes on.
Push in the exterior lamp switch.
The front fog lamps switch off.
The green indicator lamp‡ in the
exterior lamp switch goes out.
Warning!G
In low ambient lighting or foggy conditions,
only switch from positionU toB with
the vehicle at a standstill in a safe location.
Switching fromU toB will briefly
switch off the headlamps. Doing so while
driving in low ambient lighting conditions
may result in an accident.
iFog lamps will operate with the parking
lamps and/or the low beam headlamps on. Fog
lamps should only be used in conjunction with
low beam headlamps. Consult your State or
Province Motor Vehicle Regulations regarding al-
lowable lamp operation.
iFog lamps cannot be switched on with the
exterior lamp switch in positionU. For
switching on the fog lamps, turn the exterior
lamp switch to positionB first.
Page 113 of 425
112 Controls in detail
Lighting
Interior lighting
The controls are located in the overhead
control panel.
1Left-hand reading lamp on/off
2Right-hand reading lamp on/off
3Interior lighting on/off
4Automatic control on/offAutomatic control
Deactivating
Slide switch4 to the right.
The interior lighting and the entry/exit
lamps remain switched off in darkness,
even when you
unlock the vehicle
open a door
remove the SmartKey from the
starter switchActivating
Slide switch 4 to the left.
Interior lamps switches on in darkness
when you
unlock the vehicle
open a door
remove the SmartKey from the
starter switch
In addition, the entry/exit lamps in the
door come on when you open a door.
The interior lighting switches off auto-
matically following a preset time delay.
For more information, see “Setting in-
terior lighting delayed switch-off”
(
page 137).
!An interior lamp switched on manually does
not go out automatically.
Leaving an interior lamp switch in the ON posi-
tion for extended periods of time with the engine
turned off could result in a discharged battery.
iThe interior lighting is factory-set to
automatic mode.
iIf a door remains open, the interior lamps
switch off automatically after approximately
5minutes.
Page 116 of 425
115 Controls in detail
Instrument cluster
Coolant temperature gaugeResetting trip odometer
Press buttonè orÿ repeatedly
until you see the standard display in
the multifunction display (
page 117).
Press buttonk orj until the
trip odometer appears in the right
multifunction display.
Press and hold the reset button1
(
page 114) until the trip odometer is
reset.
Warning!G
Driving when your engine is overheated
can cause some fluids which may have
leaked into the engine compartment to
catch fire. You could be seriously
burned.
Steam from an overheated engine can
cause serious burns which can occur
just by opening the hood. Stay away
f r o m t h e e n g i n e i f y o u s e e o r h e a r s t e a m
coming from it.
Stop the vehicle in a safe location away from
other traffic. Turn off the engine, get out of
the vehicle and do not stand near the vehicle
until the engine has cooled down.
!Excessive coolant temperature triggers the
coolant temperature warning lamp (
page 306)
and a warning in the multifunction display
(
page 335).
The engine should not be operated with the cool-
ant temperature above 248°F (120°C). Doing so
may cause serious engine damage which is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
iDuring severe operating conditions, e.g.
stop-and-go traffic, the coolant temperature may
rise close to 248°F (120°C).
Page 117 of 425
116 Controls in detail
Instrument cluster
Tachometer
The red marking on the tachometer
(
page 29) denotes excessive engine
speed.
To help protect the engine, the fuel supply
is interrupted if the engine is operated
within the red marking.
Outside temperature indicator
The outside temperature is displayed in
the left or right multifunction display
(
page 117), depending on the setting for
the standard display (
page 132). The temperature sensor is located in the
front bumper area. Due to its location, the
sensor can be affected by road or engine
heat during idling or slow driving. There-
fore, the accuracy of the displayed temper-
ature can only be verified by comparison to
a thermometer placed next the sensor, not
by comparison to external displays, e.g.
bank signs, etc.
When moving the vehicle into colder ambi-
ent temperatures (e.g. when leaving your
garage), you will notice a delay before the
lower temperature is displayed.
A delay also occurs when ambient temper-
atures rise. This prevents inaccurate tem-
perature indications caused by heat
radiated from the engine during idling or
slow driving.
!Avoid driving at excessive engine speeds, as
it may result in serious engine damage that is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
Warning!G
The outside temperature indicator is not de-
signed to serve as an ice-warning device and
is therefore unsuitable for that purpose.
Indicated temperatures just above the freez-
ing point do not guarantee that the road sur-
face is free of ice. The road may still be icy,
especially in wooded areas or on bridges.
Page 122 of 425
121 Controls in detail
Control system
Menus, submenus and functions
Menu1Menu2Menu3Menu4Menu5Menu6Menu7
Standard display722 Edition1
1Only Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722 Edition.
AUDIOVehicle status
message memory2
2The Vehicle status message memory menu is only displayed if there is a message stored.
SettingsTrip computerTelephone
(page 122)(page 123)(page 126)(page 128)(page 129)(page 139)(page 141)
Commands/submenus
Digital speedome-
ter/Outside tem-
peratureEngine oil tem-
peratureSelecting
radio stationCalling up vehicle
malfunction, warn-
ing and system sta-
tus messages
stored in memoryResetting to fac-
tory settingsFuel consumption
statistics since startLoading
phone book
Calling up mainte-
nance service
displayVehicle supply
voltageOperating the
CD playerInstrument clus-
ter submenuFuel consumption
statistics since the
last resetSearching for
name in
phone book
Checking tire
inflation pressureRACETIMERTime submenuResetting fuel con-
sumption statistics
Overall analysisLighting submenuDistance to empty
Lap analysisVehicle submenu
iThe headings used in the menus table are
designed to facilitate navigation within the sys-
tem and are not necessarily identical to thoseshown in the control system displays. The first
function displayed in each menu will automati-
cally show you which part of the system you are in.
Page 124 of 425
123 Controls in detail
Control system
722 Edition menu1
The main screen of the 722 Edition menu
shows you the gear currently engaged as
well as the engine oil temperature.
Press button è or ÿ repeatedly
until you see the 722 Edition menu.
1Engine oil temperature
2Gear indicatorUse buttons k or j to select the fol-
lowing functions in the 722 Edition menu:
Vehicle supply voltage
Press button è or ÿ repeatedly
until you see the 722 Edition menu.
Press button j repeatedly until you
see the vehicle supply voltage.
1Vehicle supply voltage
2Gear indicator
1Only Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722 Edition.
iThe engine oil temperature symbol flashes if
the engine oil temperature has not yet reached
80°C. During this time, avoid driving at full
engine speed.
iIf the engine reaches the overspeed range
and you are driving in the manual shift
programMAN, the menu will be shown in red. In
addition, you will see
up next to gear
indicator2 as a reminder to upshift.FunctionPage
Vehicle supply voltage123
RACETIMER124
Overall analysis126
Lap analysis126